Community
7 March, 2025
Church seeking volunteers for cooking sessions
A SPECIAL program helping to teach cooking skills to children in grades three and four is calling for some additional hands in the kitchen.
The Cooking with Kids program is held at the Uniting Church Hall throughout the school term and sees two groups of eight Camperdown College students cooking in the church’s kitchens under the supervision of volunteers and organiser Kylie Spokes.
Ms Spokes said the program began as a suggestion from a visiting minister as part of a broader Spiritual Gifts program, which encourages churches to uncover and share their special abilities, talents and capacities.
“We had a visit from Warrnambool minister Philip Liebelt a few years ago, and he was keen for us to use the talents and resources we have as a church to do good things in the community,” she said.
“Running a cooking program with one of the schools was one of those suggestions, so I was happy to take on that challenge.
“We’ve been working with Camperdown College for the last three years – we have groups of eight students come, and they come to four sessions.
“It’s a part of their wellbeing program at school, and it gives the kids an opportunity for some one-on-one or on-on-two time with a volunteer from the church to learn some new skills, to achieve something, feel good about what they’re doing, and to feel special because they get to come to the Cooking with Kids program.”
Students work with volunteers to cook a main course and dessert, which they sit down and eat at the church before taking home some of their cooking and a recipe to share with their families.
Ms Spokes said the students involved in the program “love it” and participate enthusiastically.
“Some of these children have been lucky enough that their older siblings have participated in the program in past years, so they already have an idea of what’s going on, so they were very excited to come along,” she said.
“They’re very excited to be here to show us what they already know about cooking and to learn new skills – some of the kids haven’t done any cooking.
“Learning to use a knife, how to crack an egg, how to open a tin – some of these basic things they haven’t learned because they’re in grade three and four and are still young kids, but perhaps their parents have a busy household and don’t have the time we’re able to offer them in this setting.”
Ms Spokes said the program is always looking for more volunteers, with the only requirement being a valid Working with Children’s Check.
“You don’t have to be a member of the church – you just have to be someone interested in giving back to kids,” she said.
“It involves about three hours of your time.
“We want to thank Camperdown College for the opportunity to work with their students, and to use our wonderful kitchen facilities we got here to reach out to members of our community and make connections.
“It’s really lovely, and as volunteers we get back more than we put in.”
Anyone who is interested in volunteering is encouraged to contact Ms Spokes on 0401 717 640.
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